I see lots of members that may be travel experts or even agents by profession.
Perhaps you can help me. I have never bought travel insurance not so much to save the money but when I read them I feel I can't trust it to be useful. All the clauses and conditions I don't feel confident that it covers anything. What do I look for to ensure I have a good policy? Are there scams out there? I bet there are, or maybe I'm just paranoid about it. How do I distinguish a scam from the real thing.

From first hand experience - I can testify that travel insurance is well worth the small cost - and very important that you get it from a reputable broker-

I personally use insuremytrip.com because it allows me to see about twenty different companies and/or policies and allows a side by side comparison of coverages and rates - but most importantly is the great advice from their customer service folks-

I have learned that getting a Primary Insurer for ALL coverages is very important - and the great customer service forks at the 800 number will guide you in the right direction-

Last two cruises - I have used Travel Insure as my insurer - great rates and coverages-eh!

I'll add to this that I don't know much about most of the companies or policies out there. I'll also let you know up front I comment from a biased perspective. I'm an agent and am therefore limited in offering policies that are approved by the company I work for. I can offer cruiseline insurance (a bad idea) or one outside company. The company is CSA Travel Protection. I can't even comment on the policies they offer, I've discovered through chatting here that the policy I write is different from the one sold direct to the public and through InsureMyTrip, the online site many here recommend.

Therefore, I'll limit my comments to the company specifically. I use them, sell their product and have nothing but good things to say for the way they handle claims for my clients. By the way, those of you who have read my posts know I'd say otherwise if that were not the case.

I'm certain there are other great providers out there. Their may be some superior to CSA, I just don't know. I do know I've been very happy with the pricing, coverages, claims service and they way they handle my clients.

Just to put this into the global context, and as I have stated insurance is a must. Do you not have year long multi trip insurance for those people who leave the country for buss or pleasure frequently it is much cheaper here, also are your travel companies not bonded against going bust so the bond pays if they do go bust, also if you use a non bonded company like when I book in america ( I dont know wether they are or not) I pay through my credit card so if they go bust my credit card company pays me back,I can also claim of my multi trip cover, this does interest me, Im not bothered who sells me what as long as it represents good value for money regards

Originally posted by Dave Beers:
The mentioned article by our forum manager Tom Ogg can be seen here.

Dave, Thanks a million, that was a good article. The answer is still complex but I do feel more competant about making a selection for our next trip. I have been lucky so far, through a mother-in-law stroke, an Aunt-in-law passing, and my son's girl friend simply backing out. I may not be so lucky next time.

Originally posted by TrvlPro:
I'll add to this that I don't know much about most of the companies or policies out there. I'll also let you know up front I comment from a biased perspective. I'm an agent and am therefore limited in offering policies that are approved by the company I work for. I can offer cruiseline insurance (a bad idea) or one outside company. The company is CSA Travel Protection. I can't even comment on the policies they offer, I've discovered through chatting here that the policy I write is different from the one sold direct to the public and through InsureMyTrip, the online site many here recommend.

Therefore, I'll limit my comments to the company specifically. I use them, sell their product and have nothing but good things to say for the way they handle claims for my clients. By the way, those of you who have read my posts know I'd say otherwise if that were not the case.

I'm certain there are other great providers out there. Their may be some superior to CSA, I just don't know. I do know I've been very happy with the pricing, coverages, claims service and they way they handle my clients.

Cheers, Neil

Neil:

I agree. I have never used CSA but I have heard nothing but good reviews about them on the various message boards.